This time last year, 18-year-old Steven Shneir was an All-City Section libero for Taft High in Woodland Hills, Calif. After dabbling as a volunteer assistant for Taft's girl's team while attending Pierce College this fall, Schneir knew he was ready for more.
Then came the cry from social media, as Reseda High volleyball players recently took to Twitter to begin their desperate search for a new coach. Schneir saw the tweets and history was made, as he agreed to become what could be the youngest head coach in the City Section.
"I told [my parents] he's relatively young for a coach," Reseda senior Zarif Kazi told Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times.
Shneir, who turns 19 next month, says he's happy with the trust his players already have in him, despite the fact that he's four decades younger than rival coach Tom Harp, winner of eight City Section titles with Granada Hills.
"The kids are respecting me and listening," Shneir said. "I'm feeling real comfortable. I see myself doing this another 20, 30 years."
And the minuses?
"The paperwork and what I have to do if there's trouble or drama."
Schneir has drafted some former teammates to help out with hitting and conditioning, noting that while it's been a fun ride, it's still a huge challenge.
"There's seven returning guys and everyone else is new," Shneir said. "It's kind of hard, but I'll teach them."
